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GPS
GENERAL INFORMATION
U.S. Policy Statement Regarding GPS Availability, March 21, 2003
The United States Government recognizes that GPS plays a key
role around the world as part of the global information infrastructure
and takes seriously the responsibility to provide the best possible
service to civil and commercial users worldwide. This is as true
in times of conflict as it is in times of peace.
The U.S. Government also maintains the capability to prevent
hostile use of GPS and its augmentations while retaining a military
advantage in a theater of operations without disrupting or degrading
civilian uses outside the theater of operations.
We believe we can ensure that GPS continues to be available
as an invaluable global utility at all times, while at the same
time, protecting U.S. and coalition security requirements.
General Information on GPS
The Global Positioning System (GPS) was designed as a dual-use
system with the primary purpose of enhancing the effectiveness of
U.S. and allied military forces. GPS is rapidly becoming an integral
component of the emerging Global Information Infrastructure, with
applications ranging from mapping and surveying to international
air traffic management and global change research. The growing demand
from military, civil, commercial, and scientific users has generated
a U.S. commercial GPS equipment and service industry that leads
the world. Augmentations to enhance basic GPS services could further
expand these civil and commercial markets.
GPS is managed by the Interagency GPS Executive Board (IGEB), supported
by the IGEB Executive Secretariat (http://www.igeb.gov). The IGEB
manages GPS and U.S. Government augmentations to GPS, consistent
with national policy, to support and enhance U.S. economic competitiveness
and productivity while protecting national security and foreign
policy interests.
The basic GPS is defined as the constellation of satellites, the
navigation payloads which produce the GPS signals, ground stations,
data links, and associated command and control facilities which
are operated and maintained by the Department of Defense; the Standard
Positioning Service (SPS) as the civil and commercial service provided
by the basic GPS; and augmentations as those systems based on the
GPS that provide real-time accuracy greater than the SPS. GPS permits
land, sea, and airborne users to determine their three dimensional
position, velocity, and time, 24 hours a day in all weather, anywhere
in the world.
From our site, you may view or download current and archived
GPS satellite information such as status messages, precise ephemeris
data, and almanacs.
Specific, operational GPS information may be obtained from the
links below or from the links on blue navigation bar at the left.
